After a potential agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation was tabled during last week’s Baldwin County Commission meeting, a majority of commissioners said they could likely find a way to make the agreement next week. Baldwin County Commission Chairman Chris Elliott said the agreement had been forged after talking with mayors of the county’s municipalities and members of the county’s state legislative delegation. “We had a meeting with these leaders to figure out what our major priorities were so we could come together with one voice,” Elliott said. “And it appears this is the best way to move forward to fix these major road issues across our county.”

The proposal, which would have seen $55 million in promised BP settlement funds and an additional $35.8 million from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), was removed from the consent agenda last week because two of the commissioners expressed they had some reservations with moving forward. The proposal concerned U.S. Highway 31 from Westminster Drive to Highway 181, Highway 181 from County Road 64 to 104, Highway 181 from 104 to County Road 32, State Route 180 west of the Foley Beach Express and State Route 180 east of the Beach Express. Commissioner Frank Burt said he still had major reservations about entering into an agreement with ALDOT because of times in the past where the county had been let down by the agency. “I just don’t see any progress on this,” Burt said. “No matter what they put on paper and in fine print, they’ve got an escape clause everywhere you turn.” Burt said he could see his way into approving the part of the agreement that involved Highway 181, as it was mostly in the county’s territory. “181, I’m okay with,” Burt said. “If we worked an agreement for just 181 like it’s spelled out in this agreement, that’s fine for me and I certainly would vote to approve that.” Commissioner Skip Gruber said while he shared some of Burt’s frustrations with ALDOT, he felt it was best to try to move forward on the projects. “I’m frustrated with the state, too, but if this will help us get these projects done, I’m willing to go ahead and sign off on it,” Gruber said. “These have continued to be problem areas and if we can get them addressed, we need to try to do it.” Commissioner Tucker Dorsey questioned if the county would be liable for additional funding if the Restore Act funds didn’t come through and was told the county would not be liable. “I think it’s important we try to build and fix these roads,” Dorsey said. “I”m glad to see some progress being made. It’s about time.” The commissioners will vote on the agreement at their Nov. 15 meeting in Bay Minette.